Trump confirms direct talks with Iran over nuclear program

U.S. and Iran engage in high-level negotiations as Trump signals preference for diplomacy over conflict.

US President Donald Trump gestures during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a surprising yet calculated shift in tone, President Donald Trump confirms direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, describing the negotiations as “very high-level” and suggesting that diplomacy may prevail over military action. The announcement came Monday during a press briefing at the White House, where Trump was hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This move signals a potential turning point in one of the most contentious foreign policy challenges of Trump’s presidency.

“We are having direct talks with Iran, and those talks have already started,” Trump said, standing alongside Netanyahu. “Those talks will be on Saturday. We will have a very big meeting, and we will see what happens.” The statement, while short on specifics, hinted at a significant shift toward diplomacy after months of escalating rhetoric and threats.

According to Trump, Iran has agreed to participate in these direct discussions—an important development given Tehran’s prior refusal to engage Washington in bilateral talks without preconditions. “Now we're dealing directly with them. And maybe a deal will be made, that would be very good, that would be very good for Iran,” he added, emphasizing what he sees as the mutual benefits of an agreement.

The path to diplomacy

The United States and Iran have had a long, fraught relationship, especially concerning Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, calling it a “disaster” and reimposing crippling sanctions. Iran responded by gradually reducing its compliance with the agreement, leading to heightened tensions in the region.

Now, with Trump confirming direct talks with Iran over the nuclear program, the political climate appears to be shifting once again. “I think everybody would agree that doing a deal would be better than doing the obvious thing. And the obvious thing is not something I want to do,” Trump told reporters, hinting that military options remain on the table but are not preferred.

His remarks were carefully worded but clear: diplomacy is now the favored route. However, the clock is ticking. Iran’s uranium enrichment activities have advanced since the collapse of the JCPOA, and key U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East remain divided on the best path forward.

What’s at stake in U.S.-Iran negotiations

The implications of Trump’s confirmation of direct talks with Iran are wide-reaching. A successful agreement could defuse a volatile situation in the Middle East and potentially restore some form of the nuclear pact dismantled in 2018. But a breakdown in talks could have the opposite effect, plunging the region into deeper conflict.

For Iran, the stakes are equally high. The country’s economy has been strangled by U.S. sanctions, and domestic pressure is mounting. Many Iranians view the negotiations as a potential lifeline to ease economic hardship and reduce international isolation. For hardliners within Iran’s political structure, however, negotiating directly with Washington—especially under Trump—remains a controversial and risky move.

Iran’s government has not officially confirmed Trump’s statements, but sources close to the matter suggest that preliminary contacts are indeed underway. These sources point to mediation efforts by neutral countries in the Gulf, as well as backchannel communications facilitated by European allies.

Israel’s cautious response

Trump’s comments came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a staunch opponent of the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu has long argued that any agreement with Tehran must involve a complete dismantling of its nuclear infrastructure and strict limitations on its ballistic missile program.

Although Netanyahu did not directly address Trump’s announcement, his body language and past comments suggest deep skepticism about the potential outcome. Israel remains concerned that any agreement lacking strong enforcement mechanisms could allow Iran to secretly resume its nuclear weapons program.

Still, the public optics of the meeting were cordial. Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel and emphasized the importance of ensuring the region’s stability. For Trump, the balancing act between appeasing regional allies like Israel while engaging with longtime adversaries like Iran is part of his self-proclaimed “art of the deal.”

Mixed reactions in Washington

Back in the United States, Trump’s announcement sparked mixed reactions from lawmakers and analysts. Some Democrats welcomed the return to diplomacy, arguing that direct talks with Iran are long overdue. Others questioned the timing and seriousness of the negotiations, viewing them as a possible election-year tactic.

Republicans, too, were divided. While some praised Trump’s boldness and willingness to negotiate, others warned against repeating what they view as the failures of the Obama-era nuclear deal. “We’ve seen what happens when you trust Iran too easily,” one GOP senator said. “Any new deal must be tougher, longer, and broader in scope.”

Meanwhile, foreign policy experts expressed cautious optimism. “If the U.S. and Iran are really talking, that’s a positive sign,” said a former U.S. diplomat who worked on the original JCPOA. “But a real agreement will require concessions on both sides and careful verification mechanisms. That won’t be easy.”

What comes next

As Trump confirms direct talks with Iran over the nuclear program, attention now turns to Saturday’s scheduled meeting. While few details have been released, analysts believe the talks may take place in a neutral location, possibly facilitated by European or Gulf intermediaries.

Should the negotiations progress, they could lay the groundwork for a broader diplomatic breakthrough. However, with both sides deeply entrenched and regional tensions running high, the road ahead will be anything but smooth.

For Trump, the stakes are personal as well as political. A successful agreement with Iran could bolster his foreign policy legacy and offer a rare diplomatic win. Failure, on the other hand, could add another layer of volatility to an already complex global landscape.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: with Trump confirming direct talks with Iran over the nuclear program, the international community will be watching closely. The next few days—and the choices made behind closed doors—could shape the future of the Middle East for years to come.